Lanterns floated all around, filling the surroundings with soft glowing lights, bringing a sense of warmth and happiness. It's a memorising sight and a dream come true. However, Rapunzel and Eugene were too lost in each other's eyes to notice.
All attention was focused on the other. Closer and closer their faces crept until Rapunzel's eyes fluttered closed and she waited for Eugene to move that inch closer.
Eugene's eyes slid shut as well, fully believing that he now has a new dream, and she was a big part of it. So when their lips met, it was like fireworks, electricity running up and down their spines and their chemistry mixing into a perfect equation.
The moment his lips touched hers, she felt like she was complete. Her pulse was stronger and faster than ever, beating so loud, Rapunzel was amazed that no one could hear it. Her heart felt like it was doing back-flips and a flight of butterflies claimed her stomach as home.
The kiss only lasted for a fraction of a second. But it still felt incredible. The amount of emotion behind it almost blew Eugene away, amazed that he could feel this way for a girl he had only met a few days ago.
Eugene didn't move at all. He wanted to stay in this moment forever. He didn't want her to go back. He was determined to make this the reason why she would stay. So he could forever see her perfect forest-green eyes staring back at him. He could finally recognise what he was feeling, something completely different and new and wonderful. The power of it all was overwhelming – but he knew what it was, and was not afraid of admitting it. He was in love.
He would forever remember the way the lights danced in her eyes, and her long blonde hair shining in the warm glow from the lanterns above. Flowers are woven into her golden hair, pulling it back from her face, allowing Eugene to see all her beauty.
And so, as Rapunzel's breathing returned to normal, he leaned in and kissed her again. His already heavy-lidded eyes closed once more, as did hers. He pulled her towards him with the hand cupping her cheek and she complied willingly.
Everything around them faded as if they were the only people on Earth. In their little world as the lanterns floated away into the clear star-lit sky. The area darkened as the lanterns flew away, taking their soft warm glow with them. However, neither of the young couple minded, as Rapunzel's hands found their way to his neck, curling her fingers into his short brown locks. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders as his hands left her cheeks and travelled to her waist, never wanting to let her go. They both felt the sparks fly and the fireworks go off and it was like magic.
Eugene applied just the right amount of pressure to not scare her away, yet enough to send chills down both of their spines. She felt his lips start to move and, deciding she quite enjoyed the sensation, mimicked him and he tilted his head just so and her world went spinning. His tongue gently played with the seam between her slightly parted lips and that led to allow her lips to open for him to explore, and it felt amazing.
When she pulled away for air, he followed her, giving her a second to gulp air before he dove in for a series of quick, chaste kisses that made her giggle. One on her nose, one on her cheek, one on her chin, and one on her lips. When his playful grin melted into a sincere and loving smile, he kissed her eyelids, softly and gently. She sighed contentedly. Eugene smirked. He moved his hands from her waist to hold Rapunzel 's hands and pressed his forehead to hers.
The only sentence that he kept repeating in his head was, 'She's my new dream.'
And the only thing that she kept repeating in her head was, 'I think I'm in love.'
They leaned in to kiss again when a strange green glow captured Eugene's attention from the corner of his eye.
Slowly leaning away to get a better view of the strange glow. Rapunzel frowns her brows in confusion. "What's wrong, Eugene?" Rapunzel questions, turning her head to see two men holding a green light. "Eugene, who are they? They look familiar"
Eugene breathes in, prepared to lie, but changes his mind and breathes out a sigh. "Look Blondie, I'm not going to lie to you. I'm a thief, and the two over there were my partners. A few days ago, I stole the crown of the Lost Princess. The guards were after us, and I panicked. I grabbed the crown and ran. While hiding from the guards, I stumbled upon the entrance to a cave, walked through and found your tower. They probably look familiar, as they were the ones trying to catch us at the dam."
"So they want the crown? Why don't we just give it to them?" Rapunzel asks, frowning in confusion.
"I wish I could, but being with you these last few days has made me realise what I did was wrong. I stole the only thing two grieving parents have to remember their missing daughter. I'll be giving it back." Eugene sighed, looking down at the ordinary brown satchel on the foot of the boat, hiding something very important inside. Little did the young couple know, that the owner of the crown was sitting on the boat, smiling at Eugene with love shining through her eyes.
Rapunzel smiles and places her hand on Eugene's arm, making him look up into her beautiful forest green eyes, while she looks into his chocolate browns.
"I'm proud of you for wanting to give it back, and I promise, I will do everything in my power to ensure you don't get arrested." Eugene stares into Rapunzel 's eyes, seeing the honesty through the beautiful leaf green.
"Thanks, Blondie. Now let's get this boat to shore, we have a crown to return." As Eugene begins rowing the boat back to the dock, he suddenly remembers something. "And Blondie? Happy Birthday." Rapunzel smiles, blushing lightly.
"Thank you, Eugene." Eugene smiles, and they float across the water. "I mean it. Thank you, for everything. All my life, every year on my birthday, I would look through my window and see these glowing lights in the distance. Mother always told me that they were stars. To prove her wrong, I studied stars, and nowhere did it say anything about a cluster of stars occurring only once a year. And the strangest part is that every time I saw them, I always had a feeling like they were meant for me." Eugene's eyes widening goes unnoticed by Rapunzel, who continues talking. "It's silly now, knowing they are meant for the lost princess. I guess I was just wishful thinking."
"Most likely. I mean, how weird would it be if you were the lost princess? You do look like the lost princess's mural when she was a baby. But that's impossible, right?" Eugene grins.
"Totally," Rapunzel responds, confusion causing her eyebrows to frown.
The edge of the boat lightly hits the dock. Once placing the small wooden boat in the proper angle for disembarking, Eugene stands and jumps up onto the dock. While quickly securing the boat, Rapunzel picks up the unassuming brown satchel from the bottom of the boat near her feet and places the bag over her shoulder. Once she looks up, Rapunzel smiles brightly at the sight of Eugene holding out a hand for her, grinning happily.
Giggling quietly to herself, Rapunzel grabs hold of Eugene's hand and allows him to help her out of the boat.
After walking for a while, the crowds begin to disappear, all heading home for the night. The once bright and laughter-filled streets were replaced with darkness and emptiness, shadows clinging to every corner and alleyway following the young couple as they slowly walk through the crowded streets, towards the castle.
The young couple arrive at the castle doors, only to be greeted by getting surrounded by palace guards. "Freeze!" With wide eyes and scared looks, Rapunzel and Eugene both raise their hands in surrender, following the guards as they usher the couple into the castle. It took a few turns for Eugene to realise that they were being led to the throne room. With a group of palace guards surrounding the blonde and brunette, they arrive at a set of large, gold-edged, beautifully decorated doors.
A few moments pass before the large set of doors open, revealing a stunning golden-coloured throne room. The King and Queen stare down at the young couple being led into the room.
The forest green meet forest green, as the Queen laid her eyes on Rapunzel. The Queen and King share a look, before turning back to the crowd of palace guards and young couple looking up at them.
Rapunzel and Eugene kneel and bow their heads to the King and Queen of the land.
"Arise." The King orders. Both Rapunzel and Eugene stand.
"Well, if it isn't the famous thief; Flynn Rider." The Queen remarks.
Eugene lowers his head but looks back up when Rapunzel takes hold of his hand.
"Your Majesty's, please. I may be a thief, but I have come to realise that my actions were wrong. I have come back to return the Lost Princess's Crown." Rapunzel takes the plain bag and holds it to Eugene, who takes it and pulls out the jewelled encrusted crown. Holding it up to the King and Queen.
The King nods to one of the Guards, who gently takes the crown from the former thief and walks up to the Thrones, handing the crown to the King.
"What made you want to give it back? You've never given back anything else you have stolen. Why this?" The Queen asks.
Eugene smiles softly and looks at Rapunzel. "These last few days have been an adventure. It's made me realise that what I do is wrong. For what I did, I am truly sorry."
"And who is this young lady?" The Queen asks.
Rapunzel steps forward, still holding Eugene's hand. Bowing her head, "My name is Rapunzel. I met Eugene a few days ago when he was running from the Guards. All my life, I have wanted to see the floating lights, so when I knocked him out, I thought I could get him to take me to see them."
A Guard nearby snorts. "Why didn't you just ask your parents to take you?"
Rapunzel frowns. "Mother always refused. Mother always told me they were stars. But I studied stars, and these floating lights, the lanterns only occurred on my birthday. So when I found Eugene, I got him to take me."
"We send out thousands of lanterns every year, on the birthday of our long lost daughter, in hopes that she will see them, and come home. It seems it worked." The Queen states, tears in her eyes.
"Wait, what?" Rapunzel asks.
"Our daughter was born with green eyes and blonde hair. Her name was Rapunzel." The King reveals.
Rapunzel shakes her head in denial. "I'm sorry, but I can't be your daughter. My mother is… she's my mother! She raised me and kept me safe"
"A mother knows when she sees her child. You are Princess Rapunzel, and this crown belongs to you." The Queen says, standing up, holding the crown. Rapunzel stays frozen in place as the Queen walks over and gently places the crown on Rapunzel's head.
Rapunzel remains frozen as a memory flashes past her eyes.
It was her, around one year old, standing in front of a mirror, dressed in a fluffy pink dress, the jewelled encrusted crown on top of her small head. Behind her were her parents, a younger and happier version of the King and Queen, smiling down at her, pride shining in their eyes.
The young King kneels to her height and kissed her forehead, before picking her up and standing up. Moving to the young Queen who follows them outside.
Waiting for them was a single lantern. The three royals reach the lantern, and the King allows his daughter to release the softly glowing lantern into the sky.
Rapunzel is taken out of the memory when a body is thrown at her, hugging her with all their might. Long brown hair covers her vision, telling Rapunzel exactly who was hugging her.
Tears spring from her eyes, as Rapunzel hugs the Queen, her mother back with all her strength. "Mother" Rapunzel whispers, encouraging the Queen to tighten her grip. Rapunzel looks over her mother's shoulder to see the King, her father, standing there, watching them with tears running down his face. "Father," Rapunzel says. This causes the King to smile and go to his wife and newly found long lost daughter.
The three royals hug tightly, clutching each other with all their might.
The noise of struggling catches their attention. Breaking apart from the long-awaited hug, Rapunzel catches sight of Eugene in the guards' clutches, struggling to break free.
"Wait! Stop!" The guards freeze their movements. Rapunzel looks towards her new-found parents, "Please, don't arrest him. Eugene is the only reason why I'm here, He took me through the forest, and allowed me to see something I've been wanting to see all my life."
The King sighs, shaking his head, "But he is a thief, he has multiple warrants against him."
"I don't care, Eugene is giving the crown back, he felt guilty for taking it!" Rapunzel smiles at Eugene, who smiles back, love shining through his eyes. "Please, I love him. I can't lose him." Rapunzel walks over to Eugene and grabs hold of his hand, gripping it tight.
The King and Queen watch the interaction, unsure of how to proceed. Eugene, seeing this, steps forward.
"Your Majesty's, if you will allow me to stay with Rapunzel, the girl I love, I promise to never steal again. I will forever work to redeem myself in your and the eyes of the kingdom" Eugene smiles down at Rapunzel, who has tears silently crawling down her face, a bright happy smiling up at him.
The Queen and King share a glace. The King clears his throat, all heads snapping to him in attention. "Give us a few minutes to discuss." Everyone in the room bows their heads and leaves the room. Guards returned to their stations and Rapunzel and Eugene waited outside as the set of large, gold-edged decorated doors gently closed behind them leaving them alone in the candlelit hallway.
"So, you're the Lost Princess. You never seem to stop surprising me Blondie." Eugene smirks trying to lighten the mood, his smirk melts into a soft loving smile once he hears her giggle.
The warm lighting allows Eugene to fully see Rapunzel's bright blush and tear-stained cheeks. Unsure what she might be thinking, Eugene grabs both her hands, causing Rapunzel to snap her eyes to his, staring into his beautiful browns.
"What I said in there is true, Rapunzel. These last few days have been amazing, and I have fallen in love with you. Whatever happens next, know that you have become my new dream that I wish to keep, love, hold and cherish. Whether in a grand castle, or a little cottage. I love you, and if you'll have me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
With new salty tears rolling down her cheeks, Rapunzel smiles at Eugene. "I love you too Eugene. I want to spend the rest of my life with you too. And no matter what the King and Queen say, we will be together."
"But Rapunzel, you're a Princess." Eugene frowns slightly.
Rapunzel, however, shakes her head. "But I wasn't when I met you. Nothing has changed. I love you. And I will fight for you until the end to stay with you and keep you safe" Rapunzel smiles, eyes shinning with tears.
"And I will do my best to deserve that love, and protect you in return" Eugene kisses her once more. Just then the grand set of large, golden-edged doors slowly open. The marvellous grand doors open to expose the stunning golden throne room, the King and Queen sitting in their identical chairs.
The Queen calmly nods to them to enter the room again. "Come in, we have made a decision."
Gulping nervously, the young couple walk into the throne room while holding hands tightly.
"We have decided that while you may be a thief, if it weren't for that, our little girl would still be lost to us. And so, we will allow you to be pardoned in your crimes here. If, you join the castle guards and show them how to stop any other crimes from happening." The King reveals.
"Yes, thank you!" Eugene picks up Rapunzel and spins her around, laughing in glee.
And so… With Eugene helping the palace guards with preventing people stealing and teaching them how to out-trick the run-away criminals. And Rapunzel finally found her family. And I believe you know how it ended….
